Question Regarding Concealed Carry (Pennsylvania)

Hey everyone, I just acquired my license to carry in PA. I'm definitely going to take some classes before I start carrying, but I have an issue that I want to discuss.

I guarantee there will be people here who hate that I'm bringing this up and think I'm an idiot for doing so, but here goes anyway. I know the rules regarding the state college system in PA and carrying concealed...and I know it's simply not allowed. I have a problem with this but it's not my place to make that call obviously. The problem is there have been quite a few violent crimes at my school lately and it's a little scary. I was wondering if anyone knows what I'd be looking at punishment-wise if I were to concealed carry on campus and had to use my gun against somebody. Like as defense in a Virgina Tech-esque shooting. I know it would be grounds for immediate expulsion and maybe jail time (?), but I'm not sure if the criminal punishment would be any different than any other situation as it's a college rule and not a state law unless I'm mistaken.

Basically, it comes down to A) there have been a lot of bad things happening at my school lately and I B) want to be able to protect myself and the people I care about. I really don't think it's such a dumb question and concern, but I know it's against the rules and I don't know if the benefit of protection outweighs the rule-breaking and the risk of expulsion.

Re: Question Regarding Concealed Carry (Pennsylvania)

I would go to the campus police (assuming there is) and talk to them first. As for just doing it, I would not. You would most likely get your ccl revoked and possible fines and or jail time depending on the circumstances. Perhaps even talk to a lawyer that deals in firearms.

Question Regarding Concealed Carry (Pennsylvania)

Originally Posted by hof8231

Hey everyone, I just acquired my license to carry in PA. I'm definitely going to take some classes before I start carrying, but I have an issue that I want to discuss.

I guarantee there will be people here who hate that I'm bringing this up and think I'm an idiot for doing so, but here goes anyway. I know the rules regarding the state college system in PA and carrying concealed...and I know it's simply not allowed. I have a problem with this but it's not my place to make that call obviously. The problem is there have been quite a few violent crimes at my school lately and it's a little scary. I was wondering if anyone knows what I'd be looking at punishment-wise if I were to concealed carry on campus and had to use my gun against somebody. Like as defense in a Virgina Tech-esque shooting. I know it would be grounds for immediate expulsion and maybe jail time (?), but I'm not sure if the criminal punishment would be any different than any other situation as it's a college rule and not a state law unless I'm mistaken.

Basically, it comes down to A) there have been a lot of bad things happening at my school lately and I B) want to be able to protect myself and the people I care about. I really don't think it's such a dumb question and concern, but I know it's against the rules and I don't know if the benefit of protection outweighs the rule-breaking and the risk of expulsion.

You've asked an excellent question. Your school administrative officials are likely to be very hostile to any student desirous of carrying a concealed firearm while on campus. In New York State, many colleges and universities are actually quite opposed to the notion of active police officers (who are enrolled as students) carrying firearms on campus.

I would go to the campus police (assuming there is) and talk to them first. As for just doing it, I would not. You would most likely get your ccl revoked and possible fines and or jail time depending on the circumstances. Perhaps even talk to a lawyer that deals in firearms.

Yeah, I'll likely talk to the police when I get back...the township PD is right behind my apartment and the campus PD is right down the road so it shouldn't be too difficult. Campus PD is a bunch of thrill-seeking wannabe cops who use any excuse to harass people so I'm not sure how helpful they'll be, but it's worth a shot. They'll probably try to get me investigated for even asking the question lol

Thanks for that, a lot of good information there...guess I probably should have done a little Googling before I made the thread. My bad.

And even if it turns out I'm allowed, I don't think there's any chance in hell I'm going to carry with one in the pipe. I definitely wouldn't want to risk a negligent discharge on school grounds...I can't even imagine the repercussions of that.

Originally Posted by BigCityChief

You've asked an excellent question. Your school administrative officials are likely to be very hostile to any student desirous of carrying a concealed firearm while on campus. In New York State, many colleges and universities are actually quite opposed to the notion of active police officers (who are enrolled as students) carrying firearms on campus.

Yeah, it's kind of a weird situation. The town itself and the surrounding area is very conservative and very pro-gun (it's a big hunting area and there's a lot of military/former military members), but the school itself, much like many other schools, seems to have a much more liberal mindset when it comes to guns. I just don't get why some people automatically think "He has a gun, he must be trouble." I literally just want to be able to protect myself against an armed threat on school grounds which seems to be an increasingly common occurrence.